CMFT celebrate successful International Clinical Trials Day 2011

On Friday 20 May, International Clinical Trials Day was celebrated across the Central Manchester Foundation Trust's four hospitals: Adult Outpatients, the Eye Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital, to mark the anniversary of the first ever clinical trial which took place in 1747.

Information stands were on display in the main atria of each of the hospitals to recognise the important role that clinical trials continue to play in the healthcare we see today. The stands also provided staff, patients and the public with the opportunity to find out more about clinical trials and the wider research that takes place within the Trust and partner organisations.

The stands were manned by research nurses and divisional research managers, and were well attended throughout the day. Feedback indicated a positive response to the event, with many people interested in getting involved in clinical trials. The competition to win one of several teddy bears donated by Tommy’s baby charity also proved popular with visitors.

Incorporated with this event was a collaborative open day between the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Nowgen and ICON Development Solutions. The day was designed to highlight the importance of clinical trials and provide the opportunity for visitors to speak to research staff, ask questions and gain a better understanding of the career opportunities available within the field of research.

The open day saw 60 school children visiting the three research centres, where a number of interactive activities had been arranged to engage the students in the different aspects of clinical research. The feedback received on the day was very positive; one student stated, “The open day was excellent and I would take part again in the future”.